I received email that my good friend Jim Watt passed away yesterday morning. I am very saddened by the news as I had done a number of shark trips with Jimbo. Jim was the first person to take the time to show me the ropes in underwater photography. One evening on the Shearwater he called me over after working through his shots to go through what he was doing and why. I have never forgotten his generousity.

I am really at a loss for words as we kept in touch and he was always a source of feedback and inspiration. You will be missed my friend.

Todd, I know exactly what you said about Jim, I first met him two years ago on Kona Classic, it was my first shootout, I was completely lost, had problems with language and communications, because IÂ´m brazilian and donÂ´t speak english very well, but Jim was there for me, and with great patience and undestanding he helped me out. And at the end of the shootout a great surprise!!! I won three prizes!!! And IÂ´m sure Jim was the one behind it!!! LAst month I was at Bonaire Shootout and met him again, and was gladly surprised to see him diving, he was a incredible fighter beyond everything. He came to this world to make it better. Marcia Arita de Melo or Marshmellow (the way he used to call me)

I had the honor and great pleasure of meeting Jim Watt for the first time in person last month at the Bonaire Digital Shootout after hearing so much about him all these many years. And what stood out for me most was how generous and genuine he was. It was my first time as a presenter at the Shootout, and Jim went out of his way to make me feel at ease. And I watched as he tirelessly helped other imagers with their work, making suggestions and giving feedback in such encouraging ways. He was an inspiration to all--an artist, a teacher, an innovator and a genuinely good human being. He will be greatly missed.

Interests:Filming and documentary production. Beach and surf photography. Family time, isolated beaches and walking the dog.

Posted 20 July 2007 - 02:35 PM

Saddened to hear it. Living out here I bumped into Jim a number of times, once in Yap for a few days and a couple of times here in Palau. The one thing that really stood out was his warmth and willingness to discuss even the most basic of techniques with beginners. He never tired, was always the first to have a slideshow ready from a preceding dive, was always fast with an anecdote for any given situation. All in all one of the 'good guys'. You'll be missed Jim.

As destiny might have it I had the privilege and good fortune to spend some time with Jim and dive with him for the first time in Bonaire several weeks ago. I follow in the trail of so many photographers who have become inspired by his work. When I heard that Jim would be teaching seminars in Bonaire along with his good friends Berkley White and Eric Cheng I knew it would be a tremendous opportunity to gain additional knowledge from the master who helped pioneer the technique of split image photography. Jim was not only the consummate artist behind the lens he also had the generosity to share his knowledge with others. This can only come from the heart. I am grateful to have spent what little time there was with him and from the knowledge he bestowed. I felt touched.